Visa Help

[Goof Man]

Driving down in less than 2 weeks. How do you get around not having a Zip Code to get gas?

 

[lizabu]

I've been to the states many times and bought gas every time. No one has ever asked me for my zip code before. The only thing that's different is in Canada we pump then pay but in the US most places make you pay before you can pump.

 

[DisneyFreak06]

Some people put in 90210 I think, or they go in and they don't ask for it inside if it's a Canadian card. The last time I was driving through the states we always paid cash. Had to pre-pay and go in and get change sometimes though.

 

[Evelyne]

For the last 3 years it is a problem in part of Georgia and in Florida, otherwise you sould be able to pay at the pump. If a zip code is required the pump will ask for it at the beggining of the transaction, just go inside and prepay.

 

[ccudmore]

I've had good luck using the 3 numbers from my Postal Code followed by two zeros. So if my Postal Code is M5W 1E6 (I'll see if anyone catches the reference to that PC) I'd enter 51600. You can't just use any ZIP code - it has to be one associated with your account to prevent fraud. However with more and more credit cards having a PIN on them, they may just want your card PIN now instead of the ZIP code.

 

[bankr63]

I've had good luck using the 3 numbers from my Postal Code followed by two zeros. So if my Postal Code is M5W 1E6 (I'll see if anyone catches the reference to that PC) I'd enter 51600. You can't just use any ZIP code - it has to be one associated with your account to prevent fraud. However with more and more credit cards having a PIN on them, they may just want your card PIN now instead of the ZIP code.

I've tried this and all the other tricks at several gas stations in FL with no luck. Now what we do when paying with CC is DW heads inside with the card to keep an eye on it while I pump. She then pays once the pumping is done.

My one big tip for FL is to use a site like gasbuddy to find the best price. Stations in FL aren't required to post the price of gas visibly from the street like they do here, and many don't. There are some real ripoffs down there, especially around Orlando's tourist areas. Be prepared to pull up, check the price, and pull away again if you don't like what you see. The Hess stations around Disney actually have some of the lowest prices generally, contrary to what many would think!

 

[rjan67]

Just prepay if it asks. I wouldn't suggest putting in any other numbers - as the Visa company could freeze your card thinking there is fraudulent transaction going on your card. This did happen to me and I had to call them and explain.

 

[Nahanni]

i've had good luck using the 3 numbers from my postal code followed by two zeros. So if my postal code is m5w 1e6 (i'll see if anyone catches the reference to that pc) i'd enter 51600. You can't just use any zip code - it has to be one associated with your account to prevent fraud. However with more and more credit cards having a pin on them, they may just want your card pin now instead of the zip code.

cbc??

 

[hcortesis]

I've had good luck using the 3 numbers from my Postal Code followed by two zeros. So if my Postal Code is M5W 1E6 (I'll see if anyone catches the reference to that PC) I'd enter 51600. You can't just use any ZIP code - it has to be one associated with your account to prevent fraud. However with more and more credit cards having a PIN on them, they may just want your card PIN now instead of the ZIP code.

This works (adding the two zeros) at every gas station I try in Florida. Learned this about a year ago and now saves me a lot of time by not going in to prepay! Works every time!

 

[ccudmore]

cbc??

Yup - from the old Basic Black show - Make Five Wieners, I'll Eat Six.

 

[bankr63]

This works (adding the two zeros) at every gas station I try in Florida. Learned this about a year ago and now saves me a lot of time by not going in to prepay! Works every time!

I wonder if it has to do with what your numbers are? I'm 171 and have tried 17100 numerous times at different stations. It has NEVER worked for me! I've also tried 90210 and 02134 (two zips I know by heart), and failed.

Mastercard must have me flagged...

 

[Ted in Halifax]

I travel frequently to the southern US ... Bankr63 is correct ... I've tried everything and none of it worked. I now pay cash for gas ... I walk in give $50 cash, pump gas, get change .... otherwise some skid at the gas station has my card info. No thanks!

 

[bgula]

I've used the 3 digits followed by 2 zero's at gas stations from here to Florida and it works 99% of the time for me. You don't want to prepay - if they charge the card you're paying the exchange + 2.5% and if they have to put money back on your card, you're losing on the exchange back to CDN, plus another 2.5%. If anything see if they'll let you pump and then pay, I've had luck with that at times.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

Here's a good list
http://www.i75online.com/GasList.html

 

[hcortesis]

I wonder if it has to do with what your numbers are? I'm 171 and have tried 17100 numerous times at different stations. It has NEVER worked for me! I've also tried 90210 and 02134 (two zips I know by heart), and failed.

Mastercard must have me flagged...

I have used Visa and Amex (Costco) without issue. My numbers are 954(00)

Could be M/C? Could be your postal code? Who knows. So far so good for me however.

 

[Daisy-J&D]

We were able to buy gas adding two zeros with a Visa last year in Florida and I'm SO happy we found out that trick. Before that we did find that some gas stations worked without a zip, some didn't and we knew where to stop and where not.

I'd be calling Visa/MasterCard to find out what to do if the 00 doesn't.

 

[bankr63]

I have used Visa and Amex (Costco) without issue. My numbers are 954(00)

Could be M/C? Could be your postal code? Who knows. So far so good for me however.

I am thinking that you may be on to it. Those who said it worked AND the card type indicated a Visa. We always put gas on our household expense MasterCard (my Visa is for my personal expenses) which doesn't seem to work. Anyone managed to make this work specifically with a MasterCard?

Since the companies have completely different systems, it is conceivable that one will work where the other one doesn't.

I might try using my Visa next time just to see.

 

[bdoyledimou]

I've had good luck using the 3 numbers from my Postal Code followed by two zeros. So if my Postal Code is M5W 1E6 (I'll see if anyone catches the reference to that PC) I'd enter 51600. You can't just use any ZIP code - it has to be one associated with your account to prevent fraud. However with more and more credit cards having a PIN on them, they may just want your card PIN now instead of the ZIP code.

This has also worked for me with my VISA -- i actually called customer service and asked them what i was supposed to put there and THEY told me to do it this way.

Maybe you should try the same with MC?

 

[DisneyFairytale]

Driving down in less than 2 weeks. How do you get around not having a Zip Code to get gas?

It's no problem, you just pre-pay inside with the attendant prior to pumping. What you don't spend in gas gets refunded to your card.

 

[CrystalS]

Our last trip driving down in January, I just used the numbers from my postal code followed by 2 zeros, just as another poster had mentioned. Worked just fine for me.
Just be sure to call your credit card company to let them know you will be travelling, that way they won't freeze your card when charges show up in a bunch of different places